The Discovery of Manipo (Part 1)

A Search for Treasure

Being a manipulator of time who can transport themselves at virtually any point has advantages that are too vast to discuss in a single discussion. So, for now, we'll go with just two. First, you can verify the cause of historical events, learning how they impacted the present day. Second, you can navigate the world of artifacts and treasures before they become lost.

The second is how I created a vast fortune; the first is how I discovered the secret behind my abilities. One day, I woke up and decided to go back to the beginning to see if I could enter the Garden of Eden, gather some treasure, and, as a bonus, see if the Christian faith had any validity.

When I arrived at the garden, I instantly realized that I couldn't interact with the scenery. I'd only be able to spectate like a moviegoer watching a film. I was disappointed, but the garden's splendor more than made up for my trip feeling like a complete waste of time.

Every living creature was happy and lived in harmony with Adam and Eve. None of them knew anything about devouring flesh. They were satiated with fruits and vegetables, and the four rivers throughout the garden were so clear that you could see through to the bottom. When Adam and Eve drank from the waters, I could tell it was like sweet nectar when it hit their lips. Though I could feel a little shame watching them interact with their environment, I could tell that being naked didn't bother them at all. Then, when you add in The Tree of Life and The Tree of Knowledge, it was like I was watching the Bible come to life.

Then, I heard it for the first time—the voice of Yahweh. It was like listening to a school's public address system, only the voice was commanding. It felt as if Yahweh were standing right beside me. He conversed with Adam and Eve like a casual friend while maintaining his authoritative tone. It was clear to me that Yahweh wanted to ensure that there was no question that He was Lord.

If you're wondering whether Yahweh spoke to me, He didn't. However, I felt that He was watching me the entire time. He didn't mind me snooping around. And since it didn't feel like I was a trespasser, I continued watching Adam and Eve's lives unfold until they were kicked out of the garden. Though I was intrigued to witness how the rest of their story would unfold, I decided to stick around the garden. I wanted to know what indeed became of Eden once humanity had no longer been welcome. I also wanted to see if I could enter. The garden contained many treasures that would substantially increase my wealth.

Unfortunately, even with my powers, I was unable to stay. I had been driven out eastward, and when I attempted to return, a few cherubim and a flaming sword blocked my path. I tried to age the cherubim out of existence, but it was pointless. Those angelic beings wielded a power that could even overrule time.

"BE GONE IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HIGH GOD!!!" the creatures bellowed harmoniously. The power of their words sent me flying backward, about seven hundred feet away. I assumed that was the distance they wanted me to maintain, and I dared not proceed any further.

Eventually, my fear would subside, opening my mind to try a different tactic. So, I wondered if anyone had ever happened upon Eden's guarded entrance. Perhaps they had no idea that they were trespassing but still managed to acquire some artifact that just so happened to be around Eden's guarded entrance. My thinking was a bit of a stretch, but all I could think about was finding some way to justify my refusal to give up on entering the garden. I didn't want to return to the present empty-handed.

Maintaining my distance, I moved time forward again. Amazingly, I saw that large rock formations swallowed up Eden and its guardians over time, effectively sealing itself away from humanity.

I wanted to test my limits and see how far I could go to at least be able to access the area before Eden's gate. However, having used my powers to such an extent, I needed to recuperate. So, I was prepared to call it a day, but something astonishing caught my attention. A young man appeared out of nowhere about a hundred feet ahead of me. He was traveling toward the garden when the ground beneath him collapsed, causing him to fall.

I immediately thought, "This is what I was waiting for." This young man might've accidentally discovered Eden's location. And if so, what secrets did he uncover?

I had to investigate.